Refrigerating device



April 11; 1933. .1. BUCHEL REFRIGERATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 29. 1928 2 Shgets-Shet 1 Patented Apr. 11,1933

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TUBES BUCHEL, 0] .m OBLEAN S, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOB OI ONE-EAL! IO m R'I'ATE OF CEABLES LOUQUE, ONE-TWENTIETH '10 LESTER, H. BAYNEB AND ONE-- TWENTIETH 1'0 JOSEPH FREDERICK DUPUY, ALL 0] NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA BEFRIGEBATING DEVICE Application in Augult so, 192a. Serial Io. scam.

The invention relates to refrigerating systems or devices in which there IS a continuone generation, condensation, refrigeration, and absorption of the refrigerating medium.

novel device for carrying out av continuous refrigeration operation without the use'of mechanical movements of any kind, thus eliminating all the disadvantages usually accompanying mechanical devices, such as pumps, motors, floats and the like. i

Another object is to provide such a system which is operative wholly from the applica-' tion and conversion of heat, 1 as from the flames of gas burners; the usual cooling by air or water being used where desired.

Another object is to provide a forcer means ca able of balancin the s stem by riodica ly returning the asorbe mixture or re-generotiou.

Other objects, capabilities, advantages, features and process steps are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherentl possessed thereby.

Referringtothe dregs: I

Fig. l is a schematic or diagrammatic view of a system constructed in eccordnnce with the invention.

Fig. 2 iso similar view, with ports in sec tion. of the iorcer portion of the s stem.

Fig. 3 is s top plan View of the torcer controlling means.

Fig. l is a iragmentary View showing an.

alternate iorcer connection to the absorber part oi the device.

Fig. 5 is scctionel view of a control valve, such as the erzpension valve the liquor control value.

Fig. 5 is a sectionsl view of check valve,

' such as the suction discharge valves.

Peter-ring more in detail to the drawin s, the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention comprises a contoiner 1 setting as generator in the systemthe conteiner being designed to contain o. strong solution of oqne. ammonia and. capclole oil recs-iring heater. the lower end Ether-soil from only suitable source of heat, such as from c Bu-chel ns burner 3 connected to end receiving its tuel iron. a main gas supply line i. lllho oonteiner An object of the invention is to provide a has an upper closed end 5 to which is connected a vapor duct 6 havin a portion 7 passing throng a coolin jac et 8, the parts 7 and 8 forming a con enser 9 for liquefying the vapors therein at given pressure, such as about 140 lbs. er square inch and upward. The portion 7 is connected by duct 10 to an expansion valve 11 shown in detail in Fig. 5.

This valve is capable of. being set to open at a given pressure, such ,as at 150 lbs. per

square inch, to establish communication with V a duct 12 leading to the freezing coils 18 suitably located in a cooling room or refrigerating box. The valve 11 acts as a reducing valve so as to release the liquefied ammonia into the coils 13 at a iven low pressure, such as 15 lbs. per square inch. This released fluid boils in the coils 13, and in eva crating therein it absorbs heat from the me ium surrounding said coils and is converted into a gas or vapor to be absorbed in an absorber later disclosed. I

The coils are connected by a duct 1 to a duct 15 passing through a cooling chamber 16 and terminating in a receptacle 17. The parts 15 and 16 form or constitute an absor or 18. The duct ll is also connected through a connection 19 to a liquor control valve 20 shown in detail in Fig. 5. Both the vclves l1 and 20 are of identical construction. Valve 20, however, is set to open at a lower pressure than valve 11, such as at fifteenlbs. per square inch.

From the lower part of the generstor con= toiner 1 leads a liquor duct 21 having a por tion 22 passing through a cooling jacket 23, and connected by Way of a duct 2% to the lower part of the valve 20. The parts 22 end 23 constitute a Weak liquor cooler 25, the hot week liquor proceeding, as shownby the an rows, from thelovver part of contoiner 1, through duct 21' to duct 22 where the liquor is cooled, and the cooled or cold liquid then proceeds through duct 24% into volve to, end thence through connection 19 iiito duct it to units or meet with the expanded cold em.

monia gas therein for the purpose of absorb ing the same. This absorbing action evolves heat and the mixture is passed through the ice absorber 18 to lower its temperature. before i it asses to the receptacle 17.

. in Fig.

oeir oi hollow members 30 end 31 lievins *heoges 32 end 33 respectively, between which hes s shouldered pert is clamped u flexible metal, such es steel, diephr'egm 3i, bolts 35 losing used to secure these ports firmly together. n the upper end oi member 30'is eeljustehly threaded en ed uso ing member o6 suitably shouldered to not against on end of s spring 3?, the other end the spring being stressed agsinst e shonldered' member 38 recessed to fit sgoinst as central guiding cone 39 utteched to the die pliregni I Beneath ihe disphrugm 34 is loceted e velve so normellv sented in the orifice of e tuhuler member 41 extending down into the member 31 end secured nt its lower end to e lower port 42 between which end on epertured disc itlfixed in memioer 8i and V heneeth chamber ll therein, reacts o s ring so, this spring losing only of so cien siren 'h to normally press the valve ogeinst the dia-phrugm 3% es the letmr moves to end also Below the s s-entered memher i3 is chamber 46 in which is loceted filtering ms terisl n, such es cotton, wool or other lilze fibres, or uny other suitsble filterin mnteriolu l9, es the ease might be.

in duct 19 end ehemhers l8, so on Beneath chemher is is on inlet chamber 48 with which communieems either duct 1G or The lower end of member ll communicetes with e chamber 4-9 in the lower port of member 31 this chem her losing in counicstion with either duct i201" 2% es the nose might he. The screw 36 may he edju'stedto efiect the desired spring prexure ion setting the vnlve for opening at o given pressure. In the case oil using the vs'lve es on expansion velve (es velve ll) end when the pressure in duct end chemhers (l8, &6 end i l hes reached 150 lbs. per squere inch, the diephregin 34 moves upwnrd and valve l0 permitted to open, end the fluid then posses through member 41 and duct 12 with pressure oi? fifteen lhs. per square inch. In the csse oi using the valve es s. liquor control valve (us velve end. when the ressure ll hes reached or exceeds fifteen lbs. per square inch, the diephre rises end permits valve to open,'end the cold weel: liquor passing from generator 1 undervloii or more lies. pressure per square inch, moves upward through duct 24, member l1, into ehemher 44, end thence of said member 3L The volve so three 11 chambers 44; 46 and 48 to connection 19 on into duct is for absorption action m the absorber.

From receptacle 1? leads a duct 50 to e suclion check valve 51, end from the letter leads e duct 52 into e chamber 53 of forces control valve 54. From chsmherfiii loads at duct 55 to e discharge check valve 56, and from the letter lends n duct 5'? into the 'utfper end of the generator container l end or opted to discharge thereintou Both check valves are of identicnl construction end ere shown in deteil in Fig. e of the ell-swings Each of these velves comprises s hollow hody 58 in which n fist thin motel volve disc 59 normslly rests upon the up er. end of s tuhulor sent memher so secure at its lower end to e lower port of the body 58. in the upper port of the hody is ndjustnhly thread st its upper end with e demo on connected,

through u duct 87 to u hullo 68, the dome 66 losing elso connected to e duct '69 leading from check vnlve id connected to e duct 71 lending from duct 2% on the discharge side of the week liquor cooler 25. The checlt votive 7O is so designed to permit only e very smell new of cold liquor therethrough to duct 69 end into dome 66 end iorcer chamber 65. Ween the liquor is flowing from generator l,

nnclerthe pressure prev oiling therein shout.

nine-tenths of it flows through duct 24; end valve 24) to the absorber end shout one-tenth of it ilows through duct 71, check velve, 70, end duct '69 to dome 66 end iorcer 65 The forces chamber 65 communicates set its lower end with stencl pipe i2 lending to e duct il connected to the lower endoi on expension tuhe 74-, the upper end oi the letter oeing connected to the lower end 75 of the iorcer control velve 5% end in communiontion with the chernloer 53 therein 7 ln cnernher 53 is e valve '76 normally held seeterl on e sent in. e nertition T? in the velve hotly so, by e spring '78 reacting between valve 7 76 end bottom 75 of the body so Volvo 76 cerries fluted stem 79 slidehle in tubular member 80, the upper end oi the stem normelly gust conteeting the under side of e 'ilexihle diaphragm 81 'elemped between a shouldered port of the valve body and s cap 32 secursed icy bolts 83 threaded in flange 84 of the vslve body. A chamber 85 is provided.

hetween pertition W end diaphragm 81. Ahovecup 82 is located on upper yoke 86 connected by e, eir of rods 87 one 88 by nuts,

I the rods lending down through suitable guide cap 82 an apertures (provided in the flange portions of flange 84, to a lower yoke 89 secured to the lower end of the expansion tube 74. The upper yoke carries an adjusting screw 90 having threads of small pitch, the screw having a knurled head 91 and a smooth stem 92 slidable through an aperture'provided in cap 82. The lower end of the stem 92 normally just contacts the top surface of diaphra 81 when the valye 76 is seated or close When the expansion tube 74 expands, the lower yoke 89 and rods 87 and 88 are moved downward with the lower end of the expansion tube 74, and also upper yoke 86 and open it, thus establishing communication between chambers 53 and 85. I

From chamber leads a duct 93 which connects and communicates with the lower end of receptacle 17 at the discharge end of the absorber 18. In lieu of connecting this duct/93 to receptacle 17, it may, as shown in Fig. 4, be extended by way of a duct 93" and connected to connection 19 between the absorber 18 and freezing coils 13, and liquor control valve 20. v

. The stand pipe 72 at the lower end of the forcer 65, is also connected to and communicates with a gas control valve 94 adapted to periodically admit and cut-off as to an auxiliary Buch'el burner located be ow bulb -68 to heat the contents thereof as will be later explained. The details of this control valve are shown in Fig. 2. It comprises a cap 95 having a rim or flange ortion' 96 through which pass bolts 97 three ed to flange 98 of a body member 99. Both the cap 95 and bod member 99 are shouldered to receive 0 amped therebetweena flexible metal diaphragm 100.

a The lower end of the stand pipe 72 communicates with chamber 101 above the diaphragm thus subjecting the diaphragm to the pressure in forcer 65. Beneath the diaphragm 100, the body 99 has a shallow concaved surface 102 so machined in curvature to protect and sustain the flexed diaphragm 100 against overstrain. About fifty lbs. pressure per square inch is used to o erate the diaphra but the pressure in cham er 101 may at'times be very high, such as 200 lbs. per square inch. In the latter case the diaphragm will be supported and sustained on the curved surface 102.

The lower end of the body 99 of the valve carries a cap 103 connected by way of a duct 104 to the main gas supply duct 4. Within the body 99 are chambers 105 and 105 separated by a partition 106 having a valve port in which is normally seated a valve 107 acted upon by aspring 108 reacting against cap 103. The valve has a fluted stem 109 with the upper end thereof in contact with the lower face of the diaphragm 100. Chamber 105 orcer 65 and communicates by way of passage 110 with burner 95. Normally valve 107 is closed, but when the ressure in f point, suc as fifty lbs. r square inch, diaphragm 100 is depresse and opens valve 107 thus admittin gas from duct 4 by way of duct 104, cham ers 105 and 105, and passage 110 to burner 95.

To ignite this burner, a small tube 111 is located in inclined osition, as shown, with its upper end 112 si htly spaced from the flame 113 of the main urner 3, and its lower end 114 extending partly in the path of the issuing gases so that a small amount of gas and air mixture will be shunted u the tube 111 to flame 113. Inasmuch as this mixture is explosive it will be immediately ignited b the main flame 113 and flash back throug tube 111 to ignite the auxiliary burner, re-

sulting in auxiliary flame 115 as shown.

Normally and at the start of the operation of the device, the fluid, such as aqua ammonia or other like strong ammonia liquor, partly fills the generator container to a level, such" as represented by line 116 in Fig. 1 of the drawings. operated, the auxi iary burner only beingintermittently ignited and extinguished. All

- valves are normally closed, that is when starting operation. I

n operation, the main flame 113 transmits heat through the bottom 2 of the generator 1 to cause a. boiling of the contents therein. Ammonia gas and water vapor or steam then gass through duct 6 into duct 7 of the conenser 9, and when the pressure has reached about lbs. per square inch, the gas and vapor or steam condenses and hquefies in the condenser duct 7. The liquid will accumulate therein until the pressure reaches that at which valve 11 is set, such as for example, lbs. pressure per uare inch. Upon the opening of valve 11, t e liquefied ammonia gas is projected into the duct 12 and freezing coils 13 where the fluid boils or evaporates orcer 65 reaches a given The main as burner is. continuously reaches the juncture betwen duct 14 and connection 19, all has been converted into ammonia gas. I

While the above operation is occurring, and as thepressurein the generator 1 is increasing, hot, weak liquor flows from the bottom of generator -1 through duct 21 to duct 22 in the cooler 25, thus lowering the temperature of the iiquon. The cold liquor then flows to duct 24 and also to duct 71 through check valve 70, duct 69, and down the inside surfaces of the dome 66 and forcer chamber 65. This flow is very small, being a mere dribble or trickle. Eventually the forcer 65, dome 66 and bulb 68 will be filled with" thiscold liquor and the absorbed mixture from the absorber as will later appear.

When the pressure in the freezing tubes reaches 15 lbs. per square inch, valve 20 will 0 n and admit cold liquor from duct 24, to

V dlscharge the same through duct 19 and into duct 14 to be mixed with the as therein. This will cause an absorption 0 the gas in the liquor with attendant heat and rise in valve 51, duct 52, into chamber 53 of forcer control valve, down in expansion tube 74, duct 73, stand pipe 72, and into forcer chamber 65 to complete -filling the same, as well as dome 66, duct-67 and bulb 68. This filling ma be efiected before valve 11 opens. Inasmuc as this. liquor is cold, there is no expansion of tube 74, and valve 76 in the forcer control valve 54 will remain closed.

1 Flow of liquor will slowly continu through ducts 21, 22, 71, check valve'70 and duct 69 so as to increase the pressure"v in the forcer 65. Backflow through tube 74 and chamber 53 is prevented by the closing of check valve 51. Check valve 56 is held closed by the ressure in enerator 1 acting through duct 5 When t e pressure then reaches about lbs. in forcer 65, diaphragm 100 in gas control valve 94, will be depressed to open gas valve 107, thus admitting gas to the auxiliary burner, which gas is ignited automaticall from the main flame 113 as above descri d. The auxiliary flame 115 heats the bulb 68 and causes its contents to boil and be converted rapidly into gas or va r and also to rapidl increase the pressure 1n the chamber 65. This pressure may reach as hi h a point as 200 lbs. The effect i to close 0 eck valve 70, and to force out the li uid in forcer 65, through stand pipe 72, duct 3, expansion tube 74, chamber 53, duct 55, check valve 56, duct 57, into generator 1.

Inasmuch as the heat is applied to the bulb 68 the contents of which is above-the contents of forcer the contents flowing down and out of forcer 65 will be comparatively cold. It is only when all of this liquid contents has been discharged from the forcer, will the following hot contents and hot gases then pass upward in expansion tube 74. The temperature of these fluids may be about 360 F. The upward passage of the hot fluids through tube 74 beats it and causes it to expand. Its lowerend moves downwardly, can rying with it, lower yoke 89, rods 87 and 88, upper yoke 86, .and screw 90 with stem 92. The latter depresses diaphragm 8l-and valve stem 79, and causes valve 76 to open.

The

- 1,eos,4s7

fluid will then pass from chamber 53 to chamber '85 and out through duct 93, (or 93 and now pass through duet 93-to chambers 85 and 53, or through duct 50, check valve 51, duct- 52 to chamber 53, or both, until the cool fluid descends tube 74 to cool it and cause it to contract. This results in closing the valve 76, and further flow is by way. of duct 50. check valve 51, chamber 53, tube 74', to the end of again filling forcer 65, as before.

In the meanwhile, when the pressure in the forcer had fallen below that in the enerator cold liquid flowed from cooler 25 y way oi duct 71, valve 70, duct 69 and dome 66. The slow flowing-in of this liquor at this'time, causes the liquor to promptly absorb most of the remaining ammonia gas, thus aiding in the rapid reduction of pressure below that in the absorber and even to roducing a partial vacuum. The flowing o the strongliquor from the absorber through duct 50, valve 51,

latter more or less r pidly.-

The motive power lto operate the forcer cycle isderived from the heat supplied by the auxiliary burner and the pressure supplied from the generator by way of ducts 21 and 71,

duct 52, tube 74, an into forcer 65 fills the parent that one phase of the-cycle is operated by pressure and the other'by heat. This, therefore, is a heat machine without mechanical movements, such as ball floats and other mechanical devices. The action is reliable and when once properly adjusted, the device operates indefimtely without attention.

While the cooling parts have been disclosed as a water cooling system, it is to be understood that air cooling is also contemplated, by the use of heat radiation fins in lieu of water 'ackets. v i

The on ical capacity of the bulb 68 issuflicient to hold contents which when vaporized will completely expelthe contents of the forcer 65, and still leave the bulb about half full of liquor.

bore Although the action of the forcer a pears to be intermittent, the system, as a w ole is continuous in its operation of effecting refrigeration, because the ammonia gas in condenser 9 is'being liquefied and being eflluxed continuously from the orifice of the expan-- sion valve 11 into the freezing pipes or coils 13. Absorption is also continuously taking place in the absorber 18 and the supply of weak cold liquor through valve 20 is 1n a steady stream to meet and absorb the ammonia gas from the freezing coils 13.'

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the latter is not limited thereto but may comprehend other details, arrangements'of parts, structures, and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Havlng thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A refri crating device comprising a generator, a reezer, an absorber, means'for receiving absorbed material, and heat exchange means for forcing received material to the generator.

2. A refrigerating device comprising a generator, a freezer, an absorber, means for receiving absorbed material, and means for heating the material in the upper part of the receiving means for forcin the material from the receiving means to the generator.

3. A forcer for a refrigerating device, comprising a chamber having upper and lower ports, means communicating with said upper port and adapted when heated to cause expansion of fluid therein and in said chamber to force out the material in said chamber through said lower port, and means connected to said lower port for conducting the forced out material to a part of said refrigerating device.

4. A forcer for a refrigeratingdevice, com-- prising chambers mutually communicating at their upper parts, one of said chambers having an outlet associated with'a part of the refri crating device, another of said chamin capable of being heated for expending t e contents thereof for forcing the contents of said first chamber downward to and through said outlet. I

5. A forcer for a refrigerating system, comprising a forcer chamber, an expandible d'uct connected with the lower end of said forcer chamber, an expansion chamber connected with the upper end of said forcer chamber, and means controlled by said expandible duct to reduce the pressure in said chambers and cause a discharge of the con tents of said forcer-chamber.

6. A forcer for #a refrigerating system, comprising a forcer chamber, an expandible duct connected with the lower end of said forcer chamber, an expansion chamber connected with the upper end of said forcer chambers, means for heating said expansion chamber, and control means for said burrfier' or v and connected to one of said chambers causing said burner to operate. I

7. A refri crating system comprising a generator, a reezer connected to said gener- .ator, an absorber connected to said freezer,

a forcer connected to said absorber, and a connection from sa1d sorber and sa1d forcer.

8. A refri erating system comprising a.

generator a freezer connected to said generator, an absorber connected to-said freezer, a forcer connected to said absorber a connection from the lower art of said forcerto the upper part of said generator, and a connection from the lower art of said generator to the upper part of said forcer.

9. A refri crating system comprising a generator a reezer connected to said generator, an absorber connected to said freezer, a forcer connected to said absorber, a connecgenerator to said abtion from the connection between the forcer and absorber to the upper part of said generator, and a connection from the lower part ofsaid generator to the upper part of said forcer.

10. A refrigerating system comprising a v generator, a freezer connected to said generator, an absorber connected to said freezer, a forcer connected to said absorber, a connection from the connection between the forc er and absorber to the upper part of said generator, a connection from the lower 'part of said generator to the upper part of said forcer, and a connection from said last mentioned connection to the inlet of said absorber.

11. A method of continuous refrigeration, comprising continuously generating and liquefying a gas under pressure from a gas bearing liquor, producing refrigeration by continuous va orization of the liquefied gas under diminis ed pressure, continuously 'using a part of said li nor for absorbing said vaporized gas, and t ermally expanding a liquid in such a manner as to subject the re- "for returning the same to the gas bearing liquor, and then diminishing the latter pressure to that of the vaporized liquefied gas.

13. Amethod of continuous refrigeration,

a part of said liquor for absorbing'said vaporized ing liquor, and

vaporized gas, conducting the resultant satu rated liquor and absorbed gas to a forcer locus, and thermally expandinga liquid in such a manner as to increase the pressure of the liquor in said locus for forcing the same back to said gas bearingliquor.

I 14. A method of continuous refrigeration, comprising continuously generating and liquefying a gas under pressure from a gas bearing liquor, producing refrigeration by continuous Va orization of the liquefied gas under diminis ed pressure, continuously using a part of said 1i nor for absorbing said vaporized gas, con noting the resultant saturated liquor and absorbed gas to a forcer locus, thermally expanding a liquid" in such a manner as to increase the pressure of the li nor in, saidlocus for forcing the same bac' to said gas bearing liquor, and then diminishing the latter pressure to that of the vaporized liquefied gas.

15. A method of continuous refrigeration, comprising continuously generating and liquefying a gas under pressure from a gas bearing liquor, producing refrigeration by continuous vaporization of the hquefiedgas under diminished pressure, continuously using a part of said liquor for absorbing said as, conducting the resultant saturated liquor and absorbed gas to a forcer locus, conducting another part of said gas bearing liquor to said locus for increasing the ressure therein, and forcing the saturated 'quor and absorbed gas from said locus under ressure to said gas bear t en diminishing the pressure at said locus to that of the vaporized liquefied gas.

16. A method of continuous refrigeration, comprising continuously generating and liquefying a gas under pressure from a gas continuous vaporization of the hquefied gas hearing liquor, producing refrigeration by under diminished pressure, continuously using a part of said liquor for absorbing said vaporized as, conducting the resultant saturated liquor and absorbed gas to a forcer locus, conducting another part of said gas bearing liquor to said locus for inmoaaev eratinpart of'the refrigeration system, and

removing the heat to cause a reduction of pressure of said li u'or.

18. A method 0 forcingin refrigeration,

comprisin conducting a gas bearing liquorfrom an a sorber to a forcing locus, evaporating the upper part of said liquor to cause an increase of pressure therein, conducting the compressed liquor to a generating part of the refrigeration sysmm, and releasing the pressure at said locus.

-19.A refrigerating device comprising a generator, a ireezer connected to said en.- erator and for receiving a generated aid from said generator, an absorber connected to said freezer and for receiving fluid acted upon by said freezer, and a heat exchange forcer connected tosaid generator, freezer and absorber and for balancing the conditions among the same while continuously generating, freezing and absorbing.

20. A method of forcing in refrigeration, comprising confining liquor from an absorber in a foroer chamber, discharging the liquor from the chamber by thermally expanding a liquid in a manner to increase the pressure upon said liquor, andthen reducing said pressure.

21. A method of forcing in refrigeration, comprising subjectin a gas bearing liquor from an absorber of t e refrigerating system to pressure ap lied by means of a thermally In witness'whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

, v JULES BUCHEL.

creasing the pressure therein, applying heat to the upper art of said li uor at said locus to increase t e pressure t ereof, and dis char 'ng the liquor from said locus to said gas aring liquor. v v

17. A method of forcing in refrigeration, comprisin conducting a gas bearing liquor from an a sorber to a forcin locus, applying heat to the upper part c the 11 nor in 5 65 said locus to increase the pressure ereof, 

